Actions, not words plea

Unite steelworkers in Wales took their fight to save steel at the Welsh Conservative spring conference today (March 11).

Dozens descended to demonstrate against the UK government’s continued inaction at a rally outside the Llangollen rugby club in North Wales, where prime minister David Cameron addressed the conference.

Thousands of steel jobs have been wiped out in Wales and across the UK. Most recently, Tata Steel in Port Talbot confirmed earlier this year that more than a 1,000 jobs would go.

Unite rep and Port Talbot steelworker Mark Turner noted that the turnout at the rally was impressive.

Strong message

“We had steelworkers from all over Wales, both north and south,” he said. “Although some of those attending the conference tried to ignore us, we sent a strong message that the Tories can no longer ignore.”

Several speakers addressed the rally for steel, including Turner,  Assembly candidate (Delyn) and Unite member Hannah Blythyn, Unite secretary for Wales Andy Richards and Labour Wales Assembly Member for Port Talbot David Rees.

“We demanded that the UK government take action and support the government in Wales to help the steel industry here before it’s too late,” Turner said.

Unite SIMA branch Shotton works chair Anthony Simpson attended the rally to represent his steel community from Shotton.

Resolve

“We came out in full force today to demonstrate our resolve for the future of our industry,” he said. “Shotton members are amazed at the lacklustre, impotent response from the UK government so far on the issues we face. We are grateful for the resolve of the Welsh government and Unite in this fight.”

“We need actions not comforting words,” he added.

Turner explained the role that the Labour government in Wales has played in supporting the steel industry.

“The government in Wales is doing all it can – for example we have a public procurement programme that strongly favours UK producers,” he noted.

“But there are limits to what the devolved government here can do. Things like relief on business rates can only become a reality if they are approved by the UK government.”

Unite secretary for Wales Andy Richards agreed.

“There is a strong Welsh consensus about the actions needed to save the steel industry in Wales,” he said. “Trade unions, Welsh politicians and Tata itself have all pointed to the same underlying issues causing this crisis.

“The Welsh government is doing everything in their power to assist but it is clear that this crisis can only be resolved by decisive action at UK government level.”

“David Cameron should be telling his Welsh colleagues that he is resolved to take the action needed to deal with Chinese steel dumping, high energy costs and green levies,” Richards added. “He should use his speech to Welsh Conservative conference to show that he is determined to stand up for Welsh steel communities.

“But we fear his silence and inaction so far indicates that he does not have the resolve or the inclination to support a strategically important part of Welsh and the UK economy.

“Inaction by Cameron and his Conservative government in Westminster to decisively support the steel industry now threatens the very future of the UK and Welsh steel industry,” he went on to say. “If the Prime Minister fails to act then he will long be associated with the tragic extinction of a crucial part of our economic base.”

Turner also highlighted that time was running out. “What many people don’t understand about the steel industry is that once it’s lost, it cannot be easily resurrected – it’ll be lost forever.”

“Nearly everything we see and touch has steel in it,” he added. “If we allow our steel industry to fail, we’ll be completely beholden to the open market. Then we’ll be forced to pay sky high prices that we cannot afford – it will be disastrous for the wider economy. The government must act now before it’s too late.”